Career coach.

Resume is not place to list being retired

Dear Coach, I am retired, but I miscalculated my retirement income and now need to supplement my pension. Should I mention in my cover letter or resume that I am retired?

Carol Kleiman: No. But bring it up in the job interview.

Dear Coach, I am over 50 and have been laid off from a sales position. Do you know of a recruiter who specializes in placing mature individuals? I'm constantly asked what year I graduated college and I'm reluctant not to reply because the employer might mark me as difficult.

CK: You obediently answered but didn't get the job anyway. Answering plays right into the hands of hiring officers who discriminate because of age. Executive recruiters specialize in individual professions, not age groups. Call to find out which ones handle sales. And don't answer those "stealth" age questions.

Dear Coach, I have worked as a bank officer in data processing for almost three decades and really feel I need to get away from it very quickly! There are so many official regulations and I work all day at a computer. It's too much. It just isn't fun anymore. Is it time to leave?

CK: It may be time to do something else, but very rarely is work fun. That's why it's called work. But being on the computer all day is stressful and exhausting. However, that's the direction most jobs are going in.

Dear Coach, I want to look for a new job but my wife and I are expecting another child soon. She works part time and has no insurance benefits. I fear if I switch jobs now, I may not have coverage in time for the birth of our child. Should I start looking right now or wait until after the baby is born?

CK: Start looking right now at what jobs might be available in your field--but stay in your current job until after the baby is born. Otherwise, I will worry about you!

COACH CAROL'S 15-SECOND DRILL:

Take a few moments each day to make at least one new connection with someone knowledgeable in your field. And then, start networking!

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Carol Kleiman's columns also appear in Tuesday's and Thursday's Business sections. Hear her on WBBM-AM 780 at 6:21 p.m. and 10:22 p.m. Mondays and 11:20 a.m. Saturdays. Watch her "Career Coach" segments on CLTV.